Australian Open 2020: Top 5 contenders for the women's singles crown

#2 Serena Williams

Serena Williams has reached four grand slam finals in the last two years and yet she has no titles to show for it - losing US Open and Wimbeldon finals in consecutive years.Despite getting so close to equalling Margaret Court's record of 24 Grand Slam titles, the American fell short on each occasion.

Many felt that after giving birth to her daughter, it was too much of a challenge for the American to win another slam. Her luck was no better in the smaller tournaments either, until last week where she won her first WTA title in 2 years in Auckland.

Inevitably, this victory caused many to throw her name firmly back into the mix as a genuine contender for the Australian Open. Given her overpowering dominance over the WTA tour, it would be wrong to say she isn't one of the favourites, as she most certainly is.

As aforementioned, she has reached four grand slam finals in the last 2 years, which is better than anyone else on the tour. She was fairly successful in Australia last year, reaching quarterfinals and coming off her recent triumph in Auckland, she just may have the confidence to go onto win the title in Melbourne.

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#1 Naomi Osaka

At number 1 is Naomi Osaka. Although she isn't currently the highest-ranked player on the woman's tour, she has arguably been the best player on the tour over the last couple of years. Like Halep, she is the only other player to have won a Grand Slam title in 2018 and 2019.

Unlike Halep, however, Osaka has a 100% record in Grand Slam finals which shows that despite her young age, she plays with a level of maturity and calmness, to match her undeniable skill on the court.

She goes into this year's tournament as the defending champion and will try to live up to this title. Although she has been drawn in the tougher side of the draw, should she overcome this, then she will possess the confidence to go on and win her 3rd Grand Slam title in as many years.